Cincinnati Water Damage: Article About Keeping Materials After Flooding

Common water damage term explained by Griffin Contracting and Restoration of Cincinnati OH:Percolation

Percolation is the natural downward motion that water will take through soil or other porous surfaces. In some cases, water will percolate through soil and into a home if it has a negative grade or slope toward the foundation.

Cincinnati water damage company answers a commonly asked question:If the outside of a wall is dry, is there any potential damage inside of the wall?

Yes, there could be damage to materials inside of the wall even if it appears dry on the outside. Failing to look inside the wall could create conditions where mold or mildew is allowed to grow unchecked, which may cause health issues and further damage to the home.

As soon as water starts to recede from a home or a room, it is the right time to call a Cincinnati water damage restoration professional. The quicker that a professional is called to the scene of the damage, the easier it is to salvage as much of the home as possible. In most cases, the type of moisture a material interacts with and how long it is exposed to the moisture will determine if it can be saved.

Another consideration when deciding whether to salvage a material is its ability to stay clean. For instance, a carpet that has been exposed to clean water for only a few minutes may likely be saved. However, the padding underneath the carpet should be discarded even if it has only been exposed to flooding waters for a few minutes. This is because the padding could be a breeding ground for mold.

While a homeowner may be tempted to save as much as possible, in most cases, priority will be given to structural materials. For example, instead of drying the carpet or padding, it may be a better idea to dry the subflooring below or any concrete slab underneath any type of floor.

This is because repairing a slab or subfloor is going to be more labor intensive and expensive than simply repairing the carpet.

The water damage experts at Griffin Contracting and Restoration of Cincinnati OH can assist you with any questions regarding flooding damage or fire and water cleanup.

Additionally, it may be a good idea to remove carpeting or padding due to percolation of water through soft surfaces. It may be possible for water to go from the carpet straight to the floor or subfloor below, which may make a restoration project an even larger challenge.

The same is true when it comes to salvaging the walls of a home. While the drywall and insulation may be saved, the immediate concern should be to save the framing instead. Like with flooring, it is easier to replace drywall or insulation as opposed to having to reframe an entire room, floor or large section of a house. Professional water service restoration companies will have tools that may be able to dry these critical components within hours.

If a home has been flooded with sewage or toilet water that has waste in it, nothing in the home will be salvaged. Instead, everything in the home will have to be removed and replaced as soon as possible. Additionally, the homeowner and other occupants of the property may be required to vacate until the issue has been resolved.

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